Driving advice
5 ways to keep your car cool this summer
Stay cool this summer with these 5 simple tips
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 24/05/2025
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 24/05/2025
Although the Great British weather doesn’t always go to plan in the summertime, we often do have mini heatwaves – and they can make our cars hot, sticky and uncomfortable to drive.
Here are our top tips for keeping your car cool this summer:
A simple way to stop your car overheating is to park in a shady area. Although you may have to spend a few extra minutes driving around to find that sweet, shady spot out of direct sunlight, we assure you you won’t regret it!
If there really is no shade, you could turn your car around so that the front of the vehicle is not parked in direct sunlight. This won’t keep your entire car cool, but you will be able to touch your gear stick or steering wheel without it feeling like your fingers are on fire.
If you couldn’t park your car in the shade, maybe it’s time to invest in a good old-fashioned sunshade. It’s the most popular and effective way to keep your car cool and also protects you and your children from harmful sun rays. Whether you want to proudly display the Heeler family from Bluey, throw back to vintage Star Wars or prefer something more subtle, there are so many designs to choose from.
Any owner of a car with leather seats knows all too well about the sticky situations that occur when they get too hot. No amount of sunny days are worth having to continuously peel your skin off the seat every time you leave the car.
Chucking some old towels or a bedsheet (but please make sure they’re clean!) over your seats during the day will ensure your leather seats stay cool in the soaring temperatures. Keep them stored in your boot so you have an alternative seat cover whenever you need it.
Once your car has started to cool down, you can use the air recirculating feature alongside air conditioning (if you have it) to maintain the coldest air and stay comfortable. But remember to make sure your roll the windows back up to stop that cool air escaping!
Need more seasonal tips? Check out our winter driving tips.
Tempcover’s temporary car insurance can give you peace of mind, whatever the weather.
Rolling down the windows can help cool down your car while you’re in it. Doing this allows hot air to escape and increases the ventilation in your car, helping it cool down quickly – especially when the car is initially very hot.
Leaving the windows slightly open can help cool down a parked car as they allow heat to escape. However, there is a security risk that may invalidate your insurance (including temporary car insurance) and – given the unpredictability of the UK’s weather – there’s a chance rain could get inside. We recommend staying in your car if the windows are open.
Ensure there is enough coolant and that it’s in good condition. Many cars now have a dashboard warning light to indicate there is a problem with your coolant. If this turns on, you should get your car checked at a garage.
You can also look at it manually – just make sure the engine is cool (leave at least 30 minutes after the engine has been switched off), ensure you find the correct expansion tank by locating it in your vehicle handbook and checking the coolant sits between the min and max marks on the side of it. It it’s below this, get a professional to look over.
Keep an eye out for engine coolant leaks and check hoses and if anything else strange is happening, prepare to take the vehicle to a garage for examination.
Perform your regular oil checks and change it when needed. Although oil should be drained and refilled during your MOT, it’s important to still regularly check its level as it keeps your engine working as it should.
To check your oil, open your bonnet once the engine has been turned off for at least 30 mins and find the dipstick, wipe it with a cloth and then put it back into the tube, let it slip and remove it again.
If the oil falls below the minimum level, you’ll need to top up your oil. Remove the cap and pour in a little at a time, ensuring you don’t put in too much as this can cause damage. Put the cap and dipstick back in their places and clear any oil spills before closing the bonnet.
Find a shady spot when parking to stop your steering wheel and gear stick getting too hot to touch.
There are a number of ways you can help keep your car cool, even if you don’t have air conditioning.
Related tags:
Driving Advice
